by James Jordan and Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Ten things to know about Sumner County football that starts Friday night…

1. Caldwell hopes.

Hopes are high on the Caldwell football practice field this year. The Bluejays overcame early injuries a year ago and made it to the second round of the playoffs. The team is hoping for a faster start this year, and may get it with six of eight starters on offense returning. The team has to replace two offensive linemen.

“We have an opportunity to have a good year, we are excited about our skill positions,” said sixth-year Caldwell head coach Sean Blosser.

The team is confident entering the season because of its good finish a year ago when it won three of its last four regular season games, and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Plus, the team brings back experience and have worked together for quite awhile. That’s huge in eight-man football.

2. Colton Ward leads the way.

Colten Ward

Senior quarterback Colten Ward leads the charge with a deft combination of running and passing. Fellow senior Dilyn Volavka was a strong running back a year ago, and is stronger this year. He missed some games near the end of the season last year due to injury.

Justin Brown is another running back and receiver that will be heavily counted on, as well as tight end Jalen Risley.

The Jays run an option offense, and Ward has some options when he is at the line of scrimmage. Blosser calls a play, and then Ward can read the defense and adjust the play as the game goes on.

Caldwell is in a different district this year, and will see Burrton, Hartford, Central Christian, Norwich and South Haven.

3. Still there are concerns in Bluejay nation.

Even with a lot of players back, and 23 players on the team, Blosser said there are still a lot of unknowns until they actually play someone.

The Bluejays open at Udall, a game they should win. Then they get Argonia-Attica in week two, which will be a big game. If Caldwell gets past A&A and then Central of Burden in game 3, which is predicted to finish third in the South-Central Border League, the sky is the limits. Although Caldwell was picked to finish fourth in the SCBL, West Elk and Sedan is not on the schedule.

Ward said he too is excited about the possibilities of this year. He does run a lot, and that is always a possibility when he drops back to pass. Even so, there are plenty of plays designed for either him or Volavka to run.

A&A had lots to celebrate in 2015. The Titans hope 2016 will have some celebrations.

4. A&A restarts.

To say that the first three years of Argonia-Attica football has been a genuine success, is an understatement. The last we saw of the Titans, they were in the Class 8-man Div. 2 championship, losing in the last second to the overwhelming favorite Victoria team that managed a long touchdown run as time expired.

This year’s team has some holes to fill. Gone are some of the key players that made A&A so good in 2015. But there are three returning starters and eight returning lettermen. And the team has good numbers with 23 out. Trouble is, the Titans are young with three seniors, four juniors, seven sophomores and nine freshmen.

5. The Titan personnel.

A&A will run a pistol offense. Trevor Pierce, jr., is the quarterback and running backs include Seth Hamburger, sr.; Blake Harden, so.; and Mason Miller, fr. Look for Brady Ricke, sr. as a starting wide receiver. The offensive line includes: Anthony Handlin, jr.; Masen McDaniel, so.; Karmen Basinger, jr.; and Zach Gehrer, sr.

The Titans will run a 3-3 defense.

“The team will once again have speed and athleticism at the skill positions,” said co-head coach Luke Greenwood. “Many players will be playing varsity for the first time, so we will have some growing pains as they learn the system and what it takes to compete at the varsity level.”   

One big concern for A&A is it is making the move up to Class 1A 8-man Div. 1 after being in Div. 2 the last two years.

“We are looking forward to the challenge and are excited about seeing our younger guys step up,” Greenwood said.

2016 Oxford High School team.

6. Oxford hopes to rebound.

The Wildcats had a rough go of it in 2015, going just 1-8. But this year the Cats have renewed hope.

“Last season was a struggle due to inexperience and injuries,” said Sean Burkes, Oxford head coach for the 10th year in Vype Magazine. “We played a bunch of underclassmen that had to learn on the go. We are hoping that the lumps we took last year will pay dividends this year.”

Oxford returns seven starts including Chevis Cowdin, a 6-0, 230 pound senior, who will man the offensive and defensive line. Dylan Hills (5-11, 185, jr.) is a full back/linebacker. Cal Shimkus ( 6-3, 175, jr.) is the quarterback and defensive back; Dalton Silhan (5-10, 180, jr.) is a running back/linebacker; Neil Terry )(5-9, 190, jr.) is an offensive lineman, linebacker; Tyler Vaughn (5-10, 160, sr.) is quarterback, linebacker; and Greysen Williams (6-2, 220, jr.) as offensive and defensive lineman.

7. Small group in South Haven.

South Haven has a small group this year, but has five returning starters. The Cardinals are slated to finish seventh this year in the SCBL after finishing 3-6 in 2016.

Second year head coach Cody Wolf is pinning his hopes on a great group of seniors.

“We will be great offensively, but the defense needs improvement,” he told Vype magazine.

Returning starters include Lane Browning (6-1, 180, sr.) at tight end/free safety; Dallas Anderson 5-11, 160, sr. at offensive line/defensive tackle; Joe Cooke (5-7, 250, jr.) at center. Also, watch Brayden Wilkey (6-3, 180, sr.), who comes to South Haven as a first year quarterback.

2016 Conway Springs football team.

8. And then there is Conway Springs.

The Cardinals, like they have been for almost 20 years, comes into the season with tremendous high hopes.

“We lost four games in 2015, which is the most we have lost in years,” said Matt Biehler, Conway Springs head coach. “These kids are really looking forward to this season.”

Conway Springs has been a bastion of a stable single-wing rushing offense that have befuddled defenses for years. But this season, Biehler expects to pass the ball more than they ever had in the past. Colton Terhune (5-11, 165, jr.) is the quarterback.

He will be a joined by a plethora of experience. Josh Dugan (6-4, 215, sr.) will be playing tight end and linebacker and is getting good looks from college football recruiters. Other key returning players include: Gunnar Denny (5-7, 155, sr.) as wide receiver; Skyler Kunz (5-11, 240, jr.) on offensive line; and Matthew Lange (6-1, 220 jr.) on offensive line-defensive end.

Conway Springs is part of perhaps the toughest four-team district ever assembled in Class 3A history. Garden Plain, Chaparral, and Cheney are part of the very scary four-team Class 3A District 10.

9. Belle Plaine have higher hopes.

The Dragaons are looking to end their 28-game losing streak. Jason Jinkens, in his fourth year, said this is the most talented team he has coached during his tenure at Belle Plaine.

Belle Plaine brings back 10 returning starters. Taylor Douglass (6-2, 170, so.) will start as running back/linebacker. Other starters include Nate Menhusen, offensive-defensive line; Peyton Nolan wide receiver/defensive back; Tyler Pinkerton, offensive line; Dresden Ray, linebacker; Cullen Reynolds, wide receiver/linebacker; Caleb Stover, quarterback; Will Swecker, wide receiver/defensive back; and Cody Thurman, offensive, defensive line.

10. The schedules.

Here is a cumulative week-by-week schedule of the six Sumner County football teams, excluding Wellington.

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